Internet firms must do more to tackle human trafficking-related material, Theresa May said ahead of a meeting of her modern-day slavery taskforce.

The Prime Minister said the internet was giving traffickers a way to lure victims, enabling their “barbaric crimes”.

Downing Street said criminal gangs involved in sexual exploitation were using theinternet to advertise victims on adult service websites.

Mrs May will meet ministers and law enforcement representatives on the modern slavery taskforce to discuss how to tackle the problem.

She will receive an update on work done by the National Crime Agency, Cabinet Office and data specialists from across government who are currently trialling the use of data analytics to uncover more victims of modern slavery.

As the hosts of user-generated content internet companies can and should be doing more to prevent trafficking-related material from appearing on their platforms
Theresa May